Royal Watch News

Prince Charles' cleaning scars

Jun 25, 2009, 11:07 GMT

Britain's Prince Charles says he is still "scarred" from cleaning boots.

The prince reminisced about his time as an army cadet during his tour of Wales while giving the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at Treorchy Comprehensive School their first-ever inspection in his capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Welsh Guards.

Charles - accompanied by wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall - said: "Today reminded me of my time in the cadet force when I was in school. I think I still bear the scars.

"I can understand something of what was involved, particularly cleaning boots and various other tack which kept us all very busy."

The school's CCF - affiliated to the Welsh Guards - is one of six pilot schemes aimed at increasing recruits in state schools and helping develop skills in cadets.

On his visit, Charles also announced a new Welsh youth initiative, Young Dragon, which will involve all the uniformed youth organisations in Wales.

He said: "I must say it's taken me 25 years or more to get to this point. It always seemed to me an awful lot of wasted potential and human assets were also being wasted here.

"So many young people respond to this opportunity, particularly at that stage in life where so often it seems you need a bit of challenge and adventure."

Later in the day, Camilla officially opened the new £10m South Wales Fire and Rescue Service headquarters in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, while Charles officially opened the Ortho Clinical Diagnostics plant in Pencoed, Bridgend.

The couple then met up again the EcoDysgu holistic education centre in Tondu, Bridgend.

The not-for-profit education centre - set in 42 acres of countryside - was this year's winner of the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health Awards for Wales.